Mosta 2

Balzan Y 2

Mosta and Balzan figured in an exciting 2-2 draw to remain with a good chance of making it to the semi final stages of the competition. It was a fair result in a keenly contested match with both sides playing with ten men for an hour’s play. For Balzan, this was their second consecutive draw, and hope to make up in their next matches against Melita and Msida.

Mosta had a better start and took a deserved lead on six minutes thanks to a Lee Grima grounder after some good work on the right flank by Victor Osobu. However the English player had to leave the pitch injured a couple of minutes later.

Balzan obtained the equaliser on 13 minutes through Steve Meilaq who slotted home from close range following a corner action. Mosta received another setback five minutes later when midfielder Mark Briggs was sent off by the referee for dissent. However Mosta still held the upper hand in a balanced first half.

On 32 minutes Balzan were reduced to ten players too when Rennie Forace was booked for a second time, after a nasty tackle on Gilbert Martin. In the dying minutes of the first half, Mosta’s Gilbert Martin went close on two instances but his shots sailed over the bar.

In the second half Mosta again had more of the ball but on 58 minutes Balzan won a penalty when Steve Meilaq was tripped inside the box by a hesitant Alex Cini. From the penalty spot Anywanna made no mistake.

However Balzan’s joy was shortlived as five minutes later Mosta obtained the equaliser. William Camenzuli fired one of his typical freekicks past a helpless Tabone in the Balzan goal.

Both sides continued their search for the winning goal. Mosta missed a sitter on 80 minutes when Jonathan Bajada was put through by Camenzuli but, with only the goalkeeper to beat, Bajada’s shot slightly missed the target.

In the dying minutes Balzan had their good moments with Anywanna’s shot going inches high.

Lija in pole in their group

Lija A 3

Msida SJ 0

Lija are in pole position in their group after a comfortable win against wooden spoonists Msida. It must be said that Msida made great strides forward and went very close to an equaliser at the start of the second half, but they faded away miserably after suffering the second goal as Lija ran out worthy winners.

Admir Dzanovic was surely Lija’s best player yesterday and was always menacing with his runs on the right flank.

Lija had a good start but could not find a way past Msida’s defence. Msida still smarting from two heavy defeats made vast improvements in their defensive set up, and Lija scored only once in the first half for a deserved lead.

The goal was scored on 15 minutes when an Andrea Spiteri long ball, beat the offside trap and Wayne Borg St John nipped in to lob past a helpless Jeremy Alden.

Msida did not give in and shared the exchanges in a rather drab encounter. Msida went close to a surprise equaliser on 36 minutes when Adrian Farrugia’s freekick was blocked by Sean Mintoff and Saklai’s shot from the rebound was blocked by the Lija defenders.

Just before the break Lija should have scored a second when Andrea Spiteri’s cross-shot came Antoine Sacco’s way, but his close range shot slammed against the base of the upright.

On the resumption Msida had a golden opportunity when Matthew Borda’s point blank shot was blocked by Lija custodian Sean Mintoff. On the other end a good Lija move anded with Sacco crossing towards Potezica whose first timer slightly missed the base of the upright.

On 62 minutes an Admir Dzanovic angled shot was tipped into a corner by Alden and from the resultant corner taken by Matthew Fleri Soler, Antoine Sacco headed the ball home in a crowded Msida area.

Lija were now in full command and Dzanovic tested Alden after a fine solo run. Minutes later Dzanovic crossed towards Potezica whose header was saved by Alden.

However the third goal was in the offing and it arrived on 78 minutes when substitute Ayrton Buhagiar fired in the roof of the net after another cross from Dzanovic.